Water conservation projects a big success

It was just one chapter out of a book that has changed the life in the rural milieu in Rajasthan.

| TNN | Mar 23, 2010, 02:52 IST

JAIPUR: It was just one chapter out of a book that has changed the life in the rural milieu in Rajasthan. The book ‘Aaj Bhi Kharein Hai Talaab’ by Anupam Mishra, founding member of the Gandhi Peace Foundation, compelled Farhad Contractor from Ahmadabad to undertake water conservation projects in the arid western and part of eastern Rajasthan. And the results are noticeably evident.

“Centuries of indigenous wisdom that has found water for drinking and irrigation even in extremely arid landscapes through wells, filter ponds and other catchment systems still rest with the local communities. And even without any government intervention, they know very well how to manage water,” said Farhad, who insists that he works with and not for the communities in Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jodhpur and Alwar to name a few.

For the last 15 years, Farhad has worked on revival and rejuvenation of traditional water harvesting systems. “I have along with the communities worked on around 10,000 water structures till now which include talab, nadi, kua, beri, khadin as well as river revivals. Besides, I have also worked on conservation of forests etc,” said Farhad.

According to Farhad, Jaisalmer records an annual average rainfall of 125 mm whereas elsewhere communities are dependant on water tankers, the area despite being drought-hit has enough water today that the community could use for three years. And talking of the area in Alwar that over the past few years had minus 70% rainfall, Farhad today, can boast that there is enough water for the coming 20 years.

“These traditional water bodies are the lifeline of many villages and towns in the country even today. Their work serves as a guide, in organising to face and tackle the current water crisis in the country. Saving every drop that touched the ground, the wells and ponds, are recharged with over four to five lakh people from the communities constantly working on water conservation through out Rajasthan,” said Farhad.

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